Gas rebates boost

By Dion Teasdale
THE STATE Government has extended rebates for people who convert to gas heating or gas water heating to the end of August this year.
The Member for Seymour, Ben Hardman, urged households to make the switch to natural gas and take advantage of the rebates, which can total up to $1000.
“Gas is a cheaper, cleaner way to heat homes than electric or wood heaters,” Mr Hardman said.
“By extending the rebate program for the installation of gas heating systems to the end of winter, we can help more consumers cut their energy bills by up to $500 per year.”
The High Efficiency Gas Heater rebate is available to provincial and outer metropolitan households that receive the network tariff rebate.
Households that don’t have access to natural gas can also receive rebates for converting to LPG for heating and hot water.
The scheme provides up to $1000 towards the cost of a high efficiency gas heater and up to $700 to convert from wood and day-rate electric water heaters to gas hot water systems.
Mr Hardman said the State Government was committed to making energy more affordable for Victorian families, and encouraged householders to take advantage of the extended offer.
Minister for Energy Industries and Resources, Theo Theophanous, said more than 2000 Victorian households had taken advantage of the rebate since its launch two years ago.
He said the number of rebates provided last year had increased by 44 per cent and the number of participating retailers leapt by 60 per cent over the previous year.
The rebates are advertised through participating retailers and are provided to customers as a point of sale discount.
For more details, visit www.sustainability.vic.gov.au or call 1300 366 195.